Smart plugs?

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Feb 27, 2022

Ok. Alright. What's up with these things? Someone tell me about smart plugs. They will take the place of my old plug in timers on my lights? I just download an app to my phone and it controls the smart plug via wifi Bluetooth? Thanks
Devin

SaracensRugby · Feb 27, 2022

I have bad luck with the amazon ones. In my experience if there is an issue with a little power outage that goes right back on, or wifi, they shut off. I had a tank that was crashed due to a return pump being connected to one, and I was out on a boys weekend. Return pump shut off for three days.... There may be some more functionality to them that i could have used, but never again for me.

Reefing102 · Feb 27, 2022

So I run cheapo Walmart smart plugs for a couple things. Not all smart plugs have a timer function (just be aware of that). But essentially yes. Plug it in. Download the app. Connect the plug. Control on off with the app or set the timer in the app.

Edit to add: I have not had any power outage issues with them, but that’s my experience

JGT · Feb 27, 2022

Checkout Kasa. They are top notch. Can get individual plugs or power strips. I use these vs. a controller to semi-automate my equipment for water changes, notifications, turning things on/off.

90reefernyc · Feb 27, 2022

I use the wyze plug, noticed after blackout didnt re connect otherwise not bad

mdb_talon · Feb 27, 2022

I love my kasa plugs. They work great for controlling on/off via app. Can setup schedules, etc.

I have multiple tanks so i create plug groups within app to turn off all pumps/wavemakers for feeding/cleaning/etc. In the past i would sometimes forget to turn them all on. So i setup a schedule that turns all the plugs on every hour. That way if forget to turn them back on then they all get restarted in an hour or less. If someone is less forgetful than me then no big deal, but for me that has been a life(coral) saver

mfinn · Feb 27, 2022

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
Ok. Alright. What's up with these things? Someone tell me about smart plugs. They will take the place of my old plug in timers on my lights? I just download an app to my phone and it controls the smart plug via wifi Bluetooth? Thanks
Devin

Yeah Devin, they seem to be a pretty decent item.
I was looking for digital timers that controlled multiple outlets with different time options and these were suggested and that was several years ago. And they are still around.

monkeyCmonkeyDo · Feb 27, 2022

Ya im curious for sure. Lol.
My old click timers work and I have the digital 24hr clock timers. I didn't think about losing connection though via wifi Bluetooth. Ty all for your experiences
D

mdb_talon · Feb 27, 2022

monkeyCmonkeyDo said:
Ya im curious for sure. Lol.
My old click timers work and I have the digital 24hr clock timers. I didn't think about losing connection though via wifi Bluetooth. Ty all for your experiences
D

I cant speak for all of them but with kasa for example it is all wifi(no bluetooth). If it loses wifi connection then obviously you cant manually control it via the app...however all your existing schedules WILL still work even without the connection so it is not a significant concern(at least to me)

Spicy Reef · Feb 27, 2022

I've had a smartplug powerstrip on once reef for about 10 months. it's a workhorse, I also have individual smartplugs, 4 rooms each have their own 120v electric radiant heaters plugged into. I use them for the nano tanks lights and power heads. All run on wifi.

I would say I have about 15 in total. I have had 2 go bad, one because of a HOB skimmer piece of Cra... overflowed right onto the plug, ok that part was my fault should not have had the plug in that spot. The other just burned out. Once you set them, they do not need wifi to work, the timers drive on.

My house is setup with wifi light switches outdoor ring cam plus 4 other cams, I have alexa that commands everything, it's almost like being on the Enterprise, only I don't have a replicator, or holodeck, I do have one hidden door that opens on command "alexa lumos" kids love it...